Retro Charm Meets the Tropics in This Inspired Brooklyn Loft

Tour the stunning loft of Uprise Art founder Tze Chun!

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ByDomino Staff

Published on November 1, 2016

Photography by MICHAEL WILTBANK

Situated in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights, Tze Chun’s industrial loft is something sort of a hidden oasis. The 1,200 sq-ft space boasts high ceilings and an open floor plan, which required a lot of thought and planning, pre-design. “Some of our friends have said it’s like the big, loft apartments in TV shows that you don’t think actually exist in NYC!” notes Chun.

Chun is the founder of Uprise Art, an online gallery that features artwork by emerging contemporary artists, and matches customers with a personal art advisor who can help them find the perfect art for their homes. The NYC based entrepreneur and artist has spent the last decade working in the performing and visual arts, eventually leading up to the foundation of uprise art We caught up with Chun in the home she shares with husband Geoff, to get the lowdown on how the duo managed to scoop up such a stunning space. See for yourself!

Photography by MICHAEL WILTBANK

How did you find such a unique space in Brooklyn?

My husband and I looked at a few apartments, but none of them really felt right. They all had cookie-cutter renovations and little charm. When we viewed our loft, it was set-up as a three-bedroom apartment with built-in hallways, a painted green kitchen, and tapestries over the skylights, but it had potential. We loved the amount of space, and it was raw enough that we could personalize it and make it our own.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I wanted the apartment to feel a bit retro and tropical. Similar to 1960s Hong Kong and Singapore, the two places where my family is from and where I used to spend summers growing up. I worked with my friend Casey DeBois who is an interior designer at Homepolish and she helped bring in bamboo, rattan, and vintage elements, and make the apartment feel warm and lived in.

Photography by MICHAEL WILTBANKPhotography by MICHAEL WILTBANKPhotography by MICHAEL WILTBANK

What was your goal when styling your home?

Creating a space that authentically reflects who we are. Our home’s aesthetic is creative, comfortable, and collected over time.

What was your biggest takeaway from this project?

One can never have enough closets. The loft had no built-in storage, so we bought closet units and customized them, after we moved in and took inventory of our things. Having a place for everything is such a treat! I thought we were building an absurd amount of closets, but it has kept our space sustainably clutter-free.

What was the biggest challenge?

An open loft is an interesting challenge because there are no restrictions (or rooms!). We had to find ways to visually define the different living spaces.

Photography by MICHAEL WILTBANKPhotography by MICHAEL WILTBANKPhotography by MICHAEL WILTBANKPhotography by MICHAEL WILTBANK

What was the most rewarding aspect of the project?

Looking around and realizing we actually have room for all our artwork (for now…).

What are the design element you love most in your home?

I wallpapered our stairs with a rifle paper co design from Hygge and West. It took me four hours but was well worth it! It cheers me up every morning when I open the curtains from our bedroom.

What advice do you have for anyone hoping to achieve a similar aesthetic?

Find artwork you love. Collecting original art is a special experience, and makes your space truly unique. At Uprise Art we can also match you with a personal art advisor who helps you find one-of-a-kind pieces that are perfect for your home.

Photography by MICHAEL WILTBANKPhotography by MICHAEL WILTBANKPhotography by MICHAEL WILTBANKPhotography by MICHAEL WILTBANK